AN: :watches for flying daggers: I know, I know why haven't I updated in the last five months? Easy…I have a hectic life. Things have been spiraling out of control! But here is the next chapter! Enjoy and as always thanks for your reviews. :bows:

March 2008: Thanks for being so patient with me and here is the ending to the fourth chapter!

Chapter Four

Bella stared at her window. The clock read midnight, and yet she still couldn't sleep. She had asked the nurse to leave the window open because it was stuffy in here. But there was another reason. An Edward Cullen reason. He had promised that he would be back, no matter what.

Bella glanced at her hands, even in the shadows they were still shaking.

Three Hours Ago…

"Tell me what happened after I left." Edward said to her. Bella glanced up at him shocked.

"I can't do that," she said. Edward sat down at the end of her hospital bed.

"Why can't you Bella?" He asked. His velvet voice smoother than ever. Bella glared at him.

"There you go again," she muttered. "Don't dazzle me, I'm not going to tell you!"

"Bella, I told you about what happened to me while we were apart," his voice was still smooth. "Now, please tell me what happened to you." Bella stared at him contemplating, he would be furious if she told him about what happened and her… She sighed. She would rather have him find out from her than from 'Drea, Rae, Tristin, Mallory, or heck maybe even Alice saw what happened.

"Alice didn't tell you?" Bella asked.

"I asked Alice not to look for your future," he smiled. "But she probably still saw. But would there have been anything to see?"

"Okay, I'll tell you what happened, but…" she trailed off. "You have to promise not to react or bombard me with questions." Edward nodded.

"I'm listening." He replied.

"Well, after you left, which by the way was a real sucky way to leave, Charlie sent a search party into the forest."

"Why would they need a search party? I left you close to your house." Edward said. Bella glared at him.

"I said no questions. But I tried to follow you, hopeless attempt I know, but I fell somewhere in the middle and I didn't want to get up.

So Charlie sent a search party out, and when they found me I wasn't in the best condition. As Charlie puts it, I kept muttering 'he's gone,' and until January I was asleep in my protective shell. Charlie had threatened to send me back to Jacksonville to go live with Renee. He told me last week that if I had to be hospitalized he didn't want to see me be taken away.

Well, after I "woke up" I went to Port Angeles with Jessica. We were coming out of the movies when I noticed four certain guys."

Edward growled. Bella glared at him again.

"Don't worry I didn't do anything rash, I had Jessica get me out of there fast. She was a little worried when she dropped me off, with good enough reason as it turns out. When I came in, Charlie was worried because he noticed that look on my face. But I reassured him I was just tired, I told him I was going to take a shower and then go to bed.

I stayed true to my word almost. By the time I got out of the shower, there was a hole in my chest. I had been careful of this hole since you left, but that night seemed a little more painful then ever. So I figured what better way to take care of pain then pain pills. Lucky me I had some still from my broken leg.

So I took one, and then one turned into three and three turned into six. Next thing I remember, I was waking up three days later in the hospital. Needless to say Charlie was not happy. When they released me, he let me stay for two weeks, and then he shipped me out to Right Reasons Rehab Center.

That's where I met Drea, Rae, and Tristin. And the rest you probably know. " Bella said. Edward's lips were in a thin straight line.

"You do realize you can say something," she muttered. Edward's voice was low and soft. A little reassuring too.

"I'm so sorry for doing this to you." Bella smiled.

"I forgave you a long time ago, Edward." She replied. Edward frowned.

"Then the other night at the bar, when you yelled at me?" He asked.

"Three years ago that night was the day you left," Bella silently said. "My emotions were running a little high. Then you walking into the bar, and then later cornering me and implying me a slut…"

"I'm sorry about that too," he apologized. "But the pain pills, I'm sorry that the mere memory of me brought you to do that." His head leaned forward on her leg.

"You really need to stop apologizing," Bella countered. The mere touch of his head on her leg was driving her insane.

"I won't be able to stop apologizing," Edward replied. "Not until I make it up to you."

"You being here," she whispered. "Is more than enough."

"Unfortunately," he whispered right back. "I have to leave." Bella frowned.

"But you're coming back?" She asked.

"I will," he said. "But I have to take care of somethings." Before Bella blinked, Edward was gone.

That had been three hours ago, but he still hadn't shown.

"Edward," she whispered. A musical laugh came from the corner of her bed.

"You called?" He asked. Bella's heart monitor beeped loudly. She groaned internally.

"Not again," she muttered. "That is going to annoy me."

"I find it hilarious," he whispered. His head was near her heart.

"You would," Bella whispered.

"Silly Bella," Edward said. "Don't you know that I find your heartbeat comforting?"

Bella rolled her eyes.

"That is strange," she replied.

"Stranger than us?" Edward asked. Bella smiled.

"No, I doubt anything is stranger than us," she replied.

Silence had overwhelmed them. Except for the beeping of the heart monitor. Bella felt herself drifting off to sleep multiple times. She fought hard to stay awake making sure she didn't miss a moment with Edward. He chuckled near her feet.

"Bella, go to sleep," he whispered. His marble skin glowed in the darkness of her room.

"I'm not tired," she replied, as she yawned.

"Liar."

"Edward, I'm not going to sleep until you promise me something," Bella said defiantly.

"What do you want me to promise?" He asked.

"That you won't leave ever again," she replied. Edward smiled.

"I wouldn't be able to," he said.

"Good," Bella smiled and then slowly drifted off as Edward hummed her lullaby.

"Goodnight, love," he whispered then chuckled as she muttered,

"Love…" It was great to be back. It was great that Bella took him back after everything…

"She's alive?" A voice asked. Edward turned surprised to find Steve standing in the doorway with a bouquet of roses in his hand.

"Yes, her shoulder is broken, but she'll live." Edward replied. Steve nodded and walked into the room. He placed the roses on her table. Edward watched him carefully. Why was he back?

She's alive, dammit! This is what I get for being so nervous. And this guy…who is he?

Edward frowned. He should really call the police…

"So Steve, why did you try to kill Bella?" Edward asked. Steve looked at him.

"Why should I tell you?" He asked. "What are you-?"

"I'm someone who cares deeply for Bella. I just want to know why you tried to kill her, or you can just tell the police." Steve glared at him.

"You wouldn't dare," he seethed. Edward shrugged.

"Just tell me." Steve fought to keep his emotions in check.

"Why?" He smiled. "That's like asking why she can't love. Both hard to answer with something sane."

"I'm not sane myself, so try me."

"This wasn't the first time, Bella and I met in that bar. It was a few months ago. The night was the best of my life. I thought she has a good time too, but when I woke up the next morning she didn't leave a number. So I went back to the bar and there she was with her friends, when I went to go talk to her she didn't give me the time of day."

"So you decided to shoot her?" Edward asked furious.

"I went back last night and tried to talk to her again, but she didn't even know who I was." Steve explained. "And now I know why." Edward looked at him curious.

"You are the reason. She's been distracted by you, what sort of hold do you have on her?!" Bella awoke with a start. She was surprised and scared to see Steve there.

"It's a long complicated story," Edward said. Steve reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out the gun from earlier.

"I have the time, but not the patience," Steve said pointing the gun at Edward. Bella's eyes widened and her heart monitor sped up.

Both Steve and Edward stared at her.

"Ah, she's up," Steve smiled. "This is perfect. So Edward, what's the long, complicated story?"

"Don't Edward," Bella said.

"You," Steve turned the gun on her. "Shut up. Edward will tell the story or you will die. And I promise I won't miss this time."

AN: Well, there you go, the ending to chapter four. I promise I won't take as long as I did with this chapter for the next chapter. Go review and I'll update soon!